Elliptical treadmill with torsional swinging

ABSTRACT

An elliptical treadmill with torsional swinging effect having pedestals, a crank mechanism, a damping device and pedals. Two sloping guide rails are arranged symmetrically between the front and middle supports of the pedestal. One end of two sloping guide rails connecting the front support is arranged laterally. Two pedals are arranged separately onto two sloping guide rails and connected with the crank mechanism. A slide guide is set at front bottom of the pedals in a steerable state and mated onto two sloping guide rails in a sliding state. A universal joint is set at rear bottom of the pedals and connected with left and right cranks. With this configuration, this can resolve the limitation of a conventional elliptical treadmill, enabling the pedals to generate both elliptical and torsional swinging movements, bringing the users a different feeling and improving the fitness effect with higher flexibility and applicability.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an elliptical treadmill, and more particularly to an innovative one which is configured to enable torsional swinging.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.

Unlike common fitness bikes with a circular running path, the elliptical treadmill with an elliptical path allows one to simulate the human treading in fitness activities. Based on such characteristics, an elliptical treadmill is commonly used in various fitness centers as an integral part of fitness devices.

With continuous innovation and development in recent years, the elliptical treadmill is provided with a mature structure, but a bigger bottleneck is confronted when new products are launched due to structural limitation of the conventional elliptical treadmill, bringing about sluggish development of elliptical treadmills.

Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement if the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy.

Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate experimentation and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The enhanced efficacy of the present invention is as follows:

Based on the unique configuration of the present invention, the “elliptical treadmill with torsional swinging effect” allows the sloping guide rail to be arranged between the pedestal's front support and middle support, when two pedals are treaded, its rear end moves circularly under the drive of left and right cranks, and its front end can generate reciprocating and torsional swinging movement under the action of two sloping guide rails. In such a case, this can resolve the limitations of conventional elliptical treadmills, enabling the pedals to generate both elliptical and torsional swinging movements, bringing the users a different feeling and improving the fitness effect with higher flexibility and applicability.

The improvements brought about by this invention are as follow:

Based on the structural configuration wherein the sloping guide rail can be combined with the front and middle supports at multiple sections in an adjustable state, the magnitude of pedals' oblique movements can be changed to meet different user demands.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the elliptical treadmill of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the elliptical treadmill of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan top view of the elliptical treadmill of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the pedals of the present invention (plan top view).

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the sloping guide rail and slide guide of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the sloping guide rail and slide guide of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is another lateral sectional view of the structure disclosed in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the present invention wherein the sloping guide rail is available with multi-section adjustable function.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the present invention wherein the sloping guide rail is configured into an arched pattern.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-3 depict preferred embodiments of an elliptical treadmill of the present invention, which, however, are provided for only explanatory objective for patent claims. Said elliptical treadmill A includes a pedestal 10 having a middle support 11, a front support 12 and a rear support 13 arranged transversely. In this preferred embodiment, the middle support 11, front support 12 and rear support 13 of the pedestal 10 are configured into an I-shaped pattern. The front support 12 is configured into a bow-shaped pattern.

An armrest 20 is arranged vertically onto the front support 12 of the pedestal 10 for the users.

A crank mechanism 30 is arranged onto the middle support 11 of the pedestal 10. The crank mechanism 30 includes a middle shaft 31 as well as a left crank 32 and a right crank 33 separately located at both ends of the middle shaft 31. The left and right cranks 32, 33 are in a staggered state.

A damping device 40 is arranged onto the middle support 11 of the pedestal 10, and meshed with the crank mechanism 30. The damping device 40 comprises of a flywheel 41, a resisting wheel 42 and a coupled belt 43 used to connect the flywheel 41 and the resisting wheel 42. The center of the flywheel 41 is mated with the middle shaft 31 of the crank mechanism 30.

Two sloping guide rails 50 and 50B are arranged symmetrically between the front support 12 and middle support 11 of the pedestal 10. One end of two sloping guide rails 50 connecting the front support 12 is arranged laterally.

Two pedals 60 and 60B are arranged separately onto two sloping guide rails 50, 50B, and also connected with the crank mechanism 30. The front bottom of two pedals 60 is fitted with a steerable slide guide 70 that is incorporated onto two sloping guide rails 50, 50B in a gliding state. Moreover, the rear bottom of two pedals 60, 60B is fitted with a universal joint 80 that is connected with two and right cranks 32, 33 of the crank mechanism 30.

Based on the aforementioned structural configuration, when these two pedals 60, 60B are treaded, its rear end moves circularly under the drive of left and right cranks 32, 33. As shown in FIG. 4, the front end of two pedals 60, 60B can generate reciprocating and torsional swinging movement under the action of two sloping guide rails 50, 50B (indicated by arrow L1).

Of which, two sloping guide rails 50 and 50B may be coupled securely with the front support 12 and middle support 11 (e.g. by means of welding, riveting and screwing), or combined in a removable state (e.g.: bolting, insertion and snapping).

Referring to FIG. 5, the sloping guide rail 50 (or 50B) is of a round tube (or rod); the slide guide 70 set at front bottom of the pedal 60 (or 60B) comprises of a

-shaped frame 71, a roller 72 and a limiting post 73. Of which, a bearing block 61 is preset at front bottom of the pedal 60 (or 60B). A mating post 74 is protruded from top of

-shaped frame 71 and pivoted into the bearing block 61. The roller 72 is pivoted into the

-shaped frame 71, and the bottom of the roller 72 is abutted onto the sloping guide rail 50 (or 50B). A flange 75 is extended from one side of the z,23 -shaped frame 71 until below the sloping guide rail 50 (or 50B), such that the limiting post 73 is transversely mated with the flange 75, and also abutted onto the bottom of the sloping guide rail 50 (or 50B).

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the sloping guide rail 50 (or 50B) is also configured into a rail of ␣-shaped profile to define an inward slot 51, an elongated spacing hole 52 is arranged at two lateral walls of the inward slot 51. The slide guide 70B set at front bottom of the pedal 60 (or 60B) comprises of a framework 76 and two runners 77. A bearing block 61 is preset at front bottom of the pedal 60 (or 60B). A connecting post 78 is protruded from the top of the framework 76 and pivoted into the bearing block 61. The framework 76 and runner 77 of the slide guide 70B are accommodated into the inward slot 51 of the sloping guide rail 50 (or 50B). A salient 772 set externally onto the axle center of said runner 77 is penetrated into the elongated spacing hole 52 at two lateral walls of the inward slot 51 for limitation purposes.

Referring to FIG. 2, the universal joint 80 set at rear bottom of the pedal 60, 60B comprises of a bearing 81, a transverse cylinder 82 and a vertical post 83. Of which, the bearing 81 is embedded into the rear bottom of the pedals 60, 60B. The transverse cylinder 82 is sleeved onto a column 84 preset at the end of left and right cranks 32, 33 of the crank mechanism 30. The vertical post 83 is vertically set at top of the transverse cylinder 82, and the top of the vertical post 83 is pivoted into the bearing 81. The rear bottom of the pedals 60, 60B are connected with the left/right cranks 32, 33 with the freedom of transverse and vertical movements, so that the pedals 60, 60B can be adapted to circular and torsional swinging movements.

Referring also to FIG. 8, the sloping guide rail 50B (note: the sloping guide rail 50 is also of the same construction) can be combined with the front support 12 and middle support 11 at multiple sections in an adjustable state. Said adjustable state covers either adjustable oblique angle or adjustable height, or both of them. In this figure, the rear end of the sloping guide rail 50B is connected with the middle support 11 via a pivot 53, such that the front end of the sloping guide rail 50B can be adjusted in a transversely swinging state. Moreover, multiple locating holes 120 (e.g. punch hole) are arranged at interval on the front support 12, and the front end of the sloping guide rail 50B can be aligned selectively with different locating holes 120 to change the oblique angle, and then positioned by the bolt 121. With this configuration, the magnitude of pedals' oblique movements can be changed to meet different user demands.

Of which, the sloping guide rails 50, 50B are configured into an upright pattern (shown in FIGS. 1-4). Or, referring to FIG. 9, the sloping guide rail 50C is configured into an arched pattern. 

1. An elliptical treadmill with torsional swinging effect comprising: a pedestal, further comprising: a middle support, a front support and a rear support arranged transversely; a crank mechanism, arranged onto the middle support of the pedestal; the crank mechanism comprises a middle shaft as well as a left and a right crank separately located at both ends of the middle shaft; the left and right cranks are in staggered state; a damping device, arranged onto the middle support of the pedestal, and meshed with the crank mechanism; two sloping guide rails, arranged symmetrically between the front and middle supports of the pedestal; and one end of two sloping guide rails connecting the front support is arranged laterally; two pedals, arranged separately onto two sloping guide rails and connected with the crank mechanism; a slide guide, set at front bottom of the pedals in a steerable state, and mated onto two sloping guide rails in a sliding state; a universal joint, set at rear bottom of the pedals and connected with left and right cranks of the crank mechanism; when two pedals are treaded, its rear end moves circularly under the drive of left and right cranks, and its front end can generate reciprocating and torsional swinging movement under the action of two sloping guide rails.
 2. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein the middle support, front support and rear support of the pedestal are configured into an I-shaped pattern.
 3. The structure defined in claim 2, wherein the front support is configured into a bow-shaped pattern.
 4. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein two sloping guide rails may be coupled securely with the front and middle supports.
 5. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein two sloping guide rails may be combined with the front and middle supports in a removable state.
 6. The structure defined in claim 5, wherein two sloping guide rails can be combined with the front and middle supports at multiple sections in an adjustable state; said adjustable state covers either adjustable oblique angle or adjustable height, or both of them.
 7. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein the sloping guide rail is of a round tube or rod; the slide guide set at front bottom of the pedal comprises of a

-shaped frame, a roller and a limiting post; of which, a bearing block is preset at front bottom of the pedal; a mating post is protruded from top of

-shaped frame and pivoted into the bearing block; the roller is pivoted into the

-shaped frame, and the bottom of the roller is abutted onto the sloping guide rail; a flange is extended from one side of the

-shaped frame until below the sloping guide rail, such that the limiting post is transversely mated with the flange, and also abutted onto the bottom of the sloping guide rail.
 8. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein the sloping guide rail is also configured into a rail of ␣-shaped profile to define an inward slot, an elongated spacing hole is arranged at two lateral walls of the inward slot; the slide guide set at front bottom of the pedal comprises of a framework and two runners; a bearing block is preset at front bottom of the pedal; a connecting post is protruded from the top of the framework and pivoted into the bearing block; the framework and runner of the slide guide are accommodated into the inward slot of the sloping guide rail; and a salient set externally onto the axle center of said runner is penetrated into the elongated spacing hole at two lateral walls of the inward slot for limitation purpose.
 9. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein the universal joint set at rear bottom of the pedal comprises of a bearing, a transverse cylinder and a vertical post; of which, the bearing is embedded into the rear bottom of the pedals; the transverse cylinder is sleeved onto a column preset at the end of left and right cranks of the crank mechanism; the vertical post is vertically set at top of the transverse cylinder, and the top of the vertical post is pivoted into the bearing.
 10. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein the damping device comprises of a flywheel, a resisting wheel and a coupled belt used to connect the flywheel and the resisting wheel; the center of the flywheel is mated with the middle shaft of the crank mechanism.
 11. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein an armrest is arranged vertically onto the front support of the pedestal.
 12. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said sloping guide rails are configured into either an upright or an arched pattern. 